Scituate town pier to close for repairs

SCITUATE – The Town Pier will be closed for several months for a major reconstruction project said Harbormaster Mark Patterson.

“This is a major rehabilitation of the commercial pier,” he said. “There will be heavy equipment being operated, and like any substantial construction site it will be off limits to the public.”

The entire project will take several months to complete.

Patterson said commercial fishermen will still have access to the pier for the loading and unloading of catch.

“Other public access facilities such as launching ramps, and the municipal marinas, will feel little impact from the work, so the boating public in general should not be affected,” he said.

The Town Pier is the primary supporting facility for commercial fishermen, Patterson said.

“It is also an active hub for fish buyers, fuel and ice sales, and other ancillary businesses that support the town and the region’s economy,” he said.

The pier has not had any significant repairs in almost 30 years, and it’s showing some wear and tear.

The updated cost estimate of the project is $771,000.

The town remains responsible for 20 percent of the total cost, or $154,476, of which $81,400 was approved at special town meeting in 2012. Another $73,076 was approved at special town meeting 2013.

Patterson said about 80 percent of the project cost is being funded by the Governor’s Seaport Advisory Council. The remaining cost of the project, for which the town is responsible, will come from the Waterways Enterprise Fund.

“No funds for this project are coming from the town’s general fund,” Patterson said.